Evgeni Malkin Wins Hart Trophy For First Time

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin claimed his first Hart Trophy on Wednesday night, becoming the NHL’s most valuable player. Three other Swedish players also claimed major trophies at the postseason ceremony. Malkin also claimed the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer and his fellow NHLPA members awarded him the Ted Lindsay Award which goes to the NHL’s best player.

Malkin beat out Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos.

After receiving critical and player praise Malkin proclaimed:

“It’s the best day of my life. It’s very exciting.”

He then added:

“I can’t believe I’m sitting here, and around me there are three trophies. It’s an unbelievable day for me.”

Malkin finished the NHL season with 109 points and he did it while teammate Sidney Crosby managed to play in just 22 games following a concussion.

Taking home the King Clancy Trophy for humanitarian contributions was Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson.

Among his impressive numbers were a career-high 50 goals and 59 assists. Malkin was the only 100-point scorer during the season.

While the Penguin’s couldn’t pull off a Stanley Cup victory Malkin managed to rack up eight points in the team’s six-game loss to Philadelphia in the first round of the NHL playoffs. During his six seasons in the NHL Malkin has been named to the All-Star team four times.

Malkin had been nominated for the award three times.